Vietnam hotel shuts out Chinese customers over maritime dispute

Resort hotels and bars in Vietnam have banned Chinese customers as protests widened over China’s actions in waters under dispute between the two countries.

A three-star hotel in the southern Vietnamese city of Nha Trang posted signs on May 11 stating, “We do not serve Chinese people unless the Chinese government dismantles HD-981 oil rigs from Vietnam Sea,” according to the Dan Viet newspaper.

“This shows how much we are angered by China’s intolerable action,” said the owner of the hotel, which has annulled reservations made by Chinese customers.

A bar in the area has posted similar signs.

China on May 2 began deep-sea drilling in the South China Sea in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. Tense confrontations have since arisen between Vietnamese and Chinese vessels in the area.

Anti-Chinese demonstrations have been held across Vietnam, including ones in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on May 11 that drew thousands of protesters.

Additional services in Vietnam may join the crusade against Chinese visitors.

HONG KONG--China's creation of artificial islands in the South China Sea is happening so fast that Beijing will be able to extend the range of its navy, air force, coastguard and fishing fleets before long, much to the alarm of rival claimants to the contested waters.